Lockheed Martin to begin F-16IN trials for Indian Air Force

Lockheed Martin began flying F-16IN Super Viper trails for Indian Airforce on 7th September. F-16IN which is competing for MCRA deal is a advanced variant of F-16 which incorporates 5th generation technologies similar to UAE’s F-16 Block 60.  The trials will be held in three places Bangalore to simulate urban conditions, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to simulate desert conditions and Leh in Jammu and Kashmir to simulate high-altitude mountain conditions.

The three F-16′s (Block 60 not IN version because IN is still a concept) of UAE Airforce flew from Dubai airbase to Bangalore on 2nd September, with Lockheed Martin’s test pilots, USAF pilots and a team of engineers. The training phase included familiarizing the Indian Airforce’s evaluation teams with the aircraft’s capabilities and technologies,  its latest electronic warfare and navigational aids. The fighters were stationed in Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s airbase in the outskirts of Bangalore city.

As of now the F-16IN is just a concept. The F-16IN Super Viper will be tailor-made to meet the requirements of the Indian Airforce and will be a 4.5+ generation fighter if the company wins the estimated $10-billion order for the 126 planes. With fifth generation capabilities, Lockheed Martin will demonstrate to the IAF their striking power, speed, accuracy and its impressive 360-degree manoeuvres, with its sophisticated active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.